Which statement describes the general trends in electronegativity and atomic radius as the first seven elements in Period 3 are considered in order of increasing atomic number?

Regents Chemistry Exam January 2025 Question 34

34 Which statement describes the general trends in electronegativity and atomic radius as the first seven elements in Period 3 are considered in order of increasing atomic number?

(1) Electronegativity decreases and atomic radius decreases.

(2) Electronegativity decreases and atomic radius increases.

(3) Electronegativity increases and atomic radius decreases.

(4) Electronegativity increases and atomic radius increases.

Solution:

There are two ways to do this question. First, you can look at the elements in Period 3 on the Periodic Table and then find their atomic radius and electronegativity in Table S and compare to figure out the trends. Alternatively, you can memorize that atomic radius increases to the left and down on the periodic table while electronegativity has the opposite trend. Choice 3 is the correct answer choice.

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